Rabbi Arthur Weiner

Earlier this week, Women's Day magazine appointed its first-ever rabbi-in-residence, Rabbi Steven Leder of California. He will write periodically about items of Jewish interest. Women's Day reaches 20 million readers each month through its print edition and online presence . That’s quite an audience.   What could be wrong with that? Rabbi Leder, while certainly not a household name, is among America’s most successful Rabbis. As the long time Senior Rabbi of the Wilshire Temple in Los Angeles, one of the largest Reform synagogues in America, he leads a synagogue of 2400 families, 3 different campuses, and recently concluded a multi-year capital campaign that raised over $200 million. That's right - $200 million. I may not have liked those "Top Rabbi's in America" lists that Newsweek magazine published several years ago (maybe because my name wasn't on it?) but there was a reason why Rabbi Leder's was included.   He earned it! By the way, did ...

  Last week I was asked about adding an item to the Seder plate to remember the people of Ukraine who are suffering so bitterly as a result of Russia's illegal, unjust, and vicious invasion. My answer was that whereas I believe that a discussion of the important issues raised by the war in Ukraine should certainly be a part of our Passover experience, I didn't believe that we needed to add an item to the Seder plate to foster those discussions. I know that other Rabbis and authorities have different feelings about this. After all, there are those who have advocated for these additions to raise awareness of important issues worthy of our attention. Years ago, there were those who suggested that we put a tomato on the Seder plate to foster discussions about the often mistreated farm workers whose hard work produced the food on our table. Cotton balls were suggested to remember slavery in American history. There was the orange which people suggested as a feminist symbol, or ...

This Shabbat, the Shabbat that immediately precedes Passover, is known as Shabbat Hagadol - the Great Shabbat.   Traditionally, it is an opportunity for the Rabbi of the community to expound, often in great detail and at great length, the laws, meaning, and significance of Passover We prepare for Passover this year at a time of great polarization. Think of the political divide in our own nation. Think of the “culture wars.”  How do we create unity and common purpose when we are unable to even speak with others with whom we disagree? If you have listened to my sermons, or read my writings over the years, you know this has always been a particular concern of mine. I fear its effects on our great nation and its citizens. And I detest seeing it among the Jewish people. As I write this message to you, the Israeli government is in a political crisis. Without getting into too much detail, the resignation Wednesday of a key member of the government has led to the current gover...